Vernon Wright, the chairman of the Rincon Band of Mission Indians of California, died on Wednesday after a battle with cancer. He was 53.

Wright was elected chairman in 2006. He led the tribe when it was among the hardest hit by wildfires in October of last year and helped tribal members resolve some of their recent divisions, a family member said.

"My brother was a great listener," Steven Stallings, Wright's stepbrother, told The North County Times. "I think that's what was striking about his leadership style. He really listened to people."

A wake will be held at 5 p.m. on Thursday at the tribal hall on the reservation. A service will be held there at 10am on Friday.